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Swiss warn on flu vaccine with autoimmune disease

ZURICH — Switzerland's medical regulator recommended that patients with serious autoimmune diseases should not use an H1N1 flu vaccine from Novartis, saying there were no studies assessing the inoculation in that segment of the population.

Swissmedic said Jan. 20 that it could not be ruled out that either or both of the adjuvant — which can enhance the immune response — and the antigen, or less active ingredient, could lead to an intensifying of autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, are caused by an overly active immune system attacking its own body, targeting substances that are normally present.